The joy of taking a walk.

Walk as if you are kissing 

the earth with your feet. 

Thich Nat Hanh

For years, I didn't like to walk.  It wasn't because I didn't want to be outside; it was because my back would start to hurt, my hips and my feet would hurt. So it wasn't a fun experience.  I would walk with friends when they asked, but I didn't take a walk alone. 

So, What changed?

I am almost finished with a nine-month course called “Restore Your Core,” which is a lot more than just restoring one's core. To me, it became about releasing my hips, letting go of my hip flexors, strengthening my feet, and letting my rib cage move. I've been doing much of this for years but was not really taking the time to slow down these movements.

I went out for a walk and finally

concluded to stay out till sundown, 

for going out, I found, was really going in.

John Muir

When I went for my first long walk, which was just two miles, I was so excited when nothing hurt. I still stretched my hip flexors longer than I thought I should, just to make sure I didn't feel stuck the next day. Then, when I hiked 16 miles in Argentina, I really found that, as John Muir says, I was really going inward. When I used to run, I was able to get all my thoughts out, and so walking has helped me do this as well. 

This winter, I have tried to walk every day.  I've had to force myself out some days, but it's been worth it.  I found a beautiful book called “Do/Walk/Navigate Earth, Mind and Body. Step by Step" by Libby DeLana.

I'll leave you with a Walking Mantra from the book:

May you find happiness in walking;

May you find joy in walking;

May you find energy in walking;

May you find answers in walking;

May you find beauty in walking;

May you find a sparkling world in walking;

May you find peace in walking;

May you find bravery in walking;

May you find love in walking.